
Member Reviews

Thank you so much for the publisher, the author and Netgalley for the earc of this title. My opinions are my own.
The Quince Project reads like the best Disney moie mashup mixed with latina energy and sass. I have absolutely loved its boldness, energy, fun moments and the raw unfiltered moments following Cass Torres as she navigates her life around losing a parent, keeping her family together and reaching for her dreams,
The book is full of with Disney easter-eggs, so if you are a hardcore animated movie lover (also Star Wars!!) and adore learning more about how a Quince is set up (allll the delish foods enolved and disasters followed :D) make sure to read this book!
Cass and Mariposa hae the most realistic sibling dynamic I have read in books: they bicker, they argue but they love the hardest way possible, always keeping each other the number one priority. Together in bad and worse, sharing the joy of living.
I have enjoyed how they purposely laneded a party-organizing job just because Po has a crush on the famous Youtuber and Cass happens to be the best, most creative planner who chases and internship program. Will the stars allign and they both have what they want? Or faking till they make it will actually work out? :)
Cannot recommend this delightful yet impactful story for everyone! I think everyone can find bits in this story that resonates with them, Jessica Parra is a genius writer, her stories are beautiful, encouraging and makes you feel whole!

Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books / St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
"The Quince Project" by Jessica Parra presents a charming and fun story centered around Cas, a determined young woman aspiring to become a party planner. The book focuses on grief as well as sisterly bonding as Cas and her sister learn to grow through their shared grief involving the loss of their mother. If you enjoy reading about sisterly bonds as well as well as if you have a love for all things Disney, you may find yourself obsessed with this book.
The strongest aspect of this book, to me, was the portrayal of Cas’s inner journey as she navigates the challenges of pursuing her dreams amidst familial struggles, especially when experiencing shared grief. The multicultural references and themes of friendship and self-discovery add depth to the story, making it relatable for high schoolers grappling with similar issues. Cas’s characterization felt really authentic throughout the book; she felt like an actual teenager (especially a teenager obsessed with Disney). While she sometimes acted immature or was especially naïve, Cas grows as a person throughout the book. You might not like her too much at the beginning (again, because she acts like an actual teen), but you really begin rooting for her as the plot progresses. I especially enjoyed the depiction of Cas and her sister, specifically in how their bond as sisters only grew stronger throughout the progression of the plot.
However, the abundance of Disney and Star Wars references throughout the story feels forced and excessive at times, sometimes even overshadowing the plot. I do enjoy pop culture references in books (though sometimes they don’t age very well), but there were just too many references thrown into the writing. There seemed to be a reference every page or so. I was at first excited to read a book with Disney references and even having a setting in Disneyland (I am a lover of Disney, and I will be going to Disneyworld this summer), but it just seemed to be too much, and all the references pulled me out of the book at times.
While "The Quince Project" had a bit too many Disney references, I still enjoyed the book. It was very sweet and entertaining. I would recommend this book to Disney fans as well as fans of cute, cheesy YA books.

Jessica Parra has done it AGAIN...I absolutely enjoyed reading another heartwarming, comical, and fun read about a young high schooler trying to recover from a previous loss of a parent, multitask, be a supportive daughter/sister, and win a prestigious internship. Cas and Po are the dynamic duo leaving me wishing that my siblings and I were just as close and supportive of each other as these two sisters. The Disney and Star Wars references added to the story along with the food references. I am a JP reader and fan who looks forward to her next book!!!

I had high hopes for this one, but the writing didn't work for me. The Quince Project was an adorable teen book. So many people will love this. I personally loved the Quince stuff and the sister/dad bonding aspect but unfortunately I feel like I'm a little too old for this one.
There was an excessive amount of Disneyland/Disney references CONSTANTLY. Which I completely understand why but it was almost too much. I liked a few of the star wars references they were funny.
That being said this is the first Jessica Parra book I've read, so maybe I'll give another one a try. I would recommend this book to the teenage/younger readers

this book was so beautifully written. but i just couldnt get into it. i feel like if i would have known more before going into this book than maybe i would have better understanded it and enjoyed it. it had such great culture to it but not understanding it just made it so hard for me to read.

My sweet 16 with a splash of Romance and a dash of latin spice. Where could it go wrong. I will say as someone who had a quince theyre not for the faint of heart and I could never imagine that being my first event lol. I absolutely loved this book so much and I need a copy of it for my library. It kept my attention because it was just really sweet and funny.

THE QUINCE PROJECT- JESSICA PARRA
3.5 rounded up to a 4
Thanks to the publisher for an e-arc for an honest review.
The Quince Project is about Cas, as she tries to reach her dream of becoming a party planner. When she finally gets a big break, she thinks her life will be easy. Many problems get in her way, including a crush.
This book, at some times, was very funny and enjoyable. I'm a target for cute cheesy YA books, so I'm not surprised I fell for this books charm. I also enjoyed the representation and the sisters growing closer. My main problem with this book, though, is the constant disney references. I get why. It's a theme in the story, BUT I had to stop reading at some point because it got THAT bad.

3.5
I didn’t love this as much as Parra’s first book. It was a good story, but has lots of pop culture references which don’t always hold up well or resonate with all readers. I typically do enjoy YA contemporary but I think this one is geered too young for me as well.

I started off engaged but as the story moved along I struggled to keep reading. It was too much YA teen drama with too much Disney princess Star Wars theme going on. If Disney and Star Wars is not your thing, you'll struggle with this book. The premise is good but the Disney theme got old quick

Pretty cover and a good story. I didn't love the entire book, but overall it entertained me for most of it. I love the idea of the cultural Quince celebration, so that was what attracted me to the book.

Oh man I really wanted to like this one, but the writing really did not work for me. The Quince Project was such a good idea for a cute teen book, and I want to give the author credit for that. I loved the quince stuff and the sister bonding. However, the cons on this book far outweighed the pros for me:
There was an abundance of cheesy stuff that exists only in old Disney channel movies. For example, the sister changing her lipstick every day/hour depending on her mood? Nobody does that. And her sister always sharing these cheesy cliche phrases "wrong," as if that's some type of personality trait.
There was also way too many Disneyland/Disney references CONSTANTLY. Don't get me wrong, I love a few good artfully-placed pop culture references. But on every single page? Not needed. For example, while the FMC is at Disneyland: "I rushed forward like the White Rabbit." Why is there a need to add that? It's too corny. Also, the Dad in the story is a major Star Wars nerd, so there's lines like "Apparently, Dad couldn't veer too far away from his favorite galaxy. Still. It felt good to know he was capable of making some pit stops in this one." Again, too corny.
This is the second Jessica Parra book I've read, and I'm thinking her stuff is not for me. Too many things annoy me in the stories, and the writing feels like a 13-yr-old on Wattpad. I feel bad because, again, the premise was good and the author has some creative ideas for sure. I just had the worst time trying to read The Quince Project. Not one I'd recommend.

Absolutely delightful! This was a really great read and I enjoyed it immensely. Refreshing and relatable. First book by this author but definitely won’t be my last ! 110% recommend this read!
*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *

There is a lot of good world-building in this book and I enjoyed the evolution of the relationship between Cas and her family. I enjoyed some of the scenes (I thought the writing around the scene at the party planning place was excellent and I liked the Disney descriptions). But ultimately I had trouble getting into this story. A lot of the dialogue and character relationships didn't quite do it for me. I loved Jessica Parra's first book and will look for titles from her in the future, but this one wasn't for me.

This book felt like being sprinkled with real-life fairy dust from start to finish. Cas's exploration of grief is tangible and raw, yet balanced by the supporting characters and their unflinching belief in who she is and what she can be if she'll let herself. An absolutely charming read!

withholding review due to the St Martins boycott. thanks for the ARC. please PLEASE resolve this St Martins

YES this was freaking wonderful. I loved all the emotions this brought out of me. I can’t wait to buy this one! 10/10

This is novel focuses on two sisters and the friends they make and keep, while battling with grief. This is the perfect novel for high schoolers to relate to! Cas pushes for her dreams to come true, her sister (Po) to get into college, and her dad to "feel alive" again. All while experiencing many high school first...like formal dance, dates and kisses. Don't worry there is no lack of the high school drama to be found. Social media has its presence in the real world and in this novel.
Pros:
-lots of Disney/Star Wars references
-multicultural
-friendships made and friendships rekindled
-Cas discovers her true goals/dreams
Cons(that aren't really cons):
-dealing with grief (it's sadly a part of life we must all experience)
-rigid main character personality (but there is character development)

Well, this book was a charming! I thought I would read it as a palette cleanser between more serious books and it did do that well. This book brought so many emotions forward, and I loved every bit of it. It’s fun, heartwarming and realistic and made for a delightful read.
A special thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.